Paul was born June 21, 1941, in Jamestown, NY to Paul White and Caroline Emery. He spent his childhood and teen years in Warren, PA, Charleston, WV, and Clearwater, FL. Paul’s ancestry dates back to the brothers John and Anthony Emery who arrived at Newburyport, MA in 1635 from Ramsey, England, on the ship James of London. He was preceded in passing by his parents, his brother Bruce Emery and a sister, Esther Emery Cirillo. He has a sister, Edith Emery O’Polka (Donald) of New Smyrna Beach, FL. One sister-in-law, Marilyn Shouse (Darrell), of King NC, and several nieces and nephews.
He graduated from Clearwater High School, at the age of sixteen and attended Florida State University. He later graduated in 1962, from the University of Tennesse, Summa cum Laude, 3rd in his class of 1500 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Transportation. A member of Phi Kappa Phi and Delta Nu Alpha fraternities. He accepted a teaching assistantship at the University of Maryland and graduated in 1963, Magna cum Laude, with a Masters degree in Business and Finance. After a summer in Rhode Island, consulting on the relocation of the New Haven Railroad with R.L. Banks & Associates of Washington, D.C., Paul returned to UM to continue studies toward his PhD In Economics while teaching Business and Accounting courses as an Associate Professor.
His professional career began as the youngest management trainee at Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI in the summer of 1964 where his first assignment was pricing the newly introduced Mustang. In 1966 he was assigned to a management position in Santiago, Chile to educate the newly appointed executives on US FORD Financial practices. In 1968, he joined IBM in White Plains, NY, where he was instrumental in the pricing of the system 360/195. In 1971 he was named Vice President of Finance for The Bardon Corporation, in Danbury, CT. From there he moved to the Silicon Valley where he spent most of his career as a C-level executive with various technology companies. His forte was start-ups, turnarounds, and mergers and acquisitions. From 1975 - 1985, he enjoyed a successful consulting practice in Orange County, CA. Then as an entrepreneur, in vote tabulation equipment and cryogenic deflashing equipment. In 1985 he returned to the Silicon Valley where he retired in 2009, hoping to return to his first love - teaching, seeking to share his vast knowledge, gained thru his stellar career. He taught at California State University. Then, as an adjunct professor at UC Berkeley Extension, teaching what he knew best, Business Management and Finance, eventually becoming department Director of Business, Engineering, and Technology. As Chairman of the Professional Financial Planning organization he was awarded The coveted Golden Bear Award and the following year The Award of Excellence for his leadership in that program. He retired from UC Berkeley Extension in 2015, immediately signing on to continue teaching online students in Business Management, which he continued until his passing - from his hospital bed and at rehab!
Paul met his wife, Sheridan Clark, in the summer of 1962 and they were married October 5, at Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Riverdale, MD. They have four children: Elizabeth Klavon (Gus W.), of Pleasanton, CA; Valerie MacPherson (Kevin N.) of Olympia, WA; Paula Sutton (Scott D.) of Lexington, MA; and Paul W. Emery, III of Olympia, WA. Eight grandchildren: Lonna McGinnis (James R.); Priscilla Meyers (Brenden .); Jaimie Dickerson (Elijah J.); Angelo and Anthony, Tatiana, Summer, and Sierra Sutton. Eight great grandchildren: Courtney, Emily, Johnathan, and Colton McGinnis; Tucker and Harlow Dickerson; Declan Meyers ...and Lolland White Meyers, due to arrive in March.
The family held a private service in Olympia, WA. A memorial service will be held in Jamestown, NY in late June, 2019. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation, in Paul’s honor, to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Fund.
The family wishes to thank the incredible medical teams of Virginia Mason Oncology Center in Seattle, WA, and Providence St. Peter’s Hospital and Providence Oncology Center in Lacey, WA. They were all integral in assisting Paul in navigating this incredibly difficult journey over the last 18 months. The amazing rehabilitation of skilled nursing at Panorama and Mother Joseph’s gave him HOPE and made those difficult months bearable - for Paul and our family. This rehabilitation also made it possible for Paul to spend just over two months at home, enjoying his family before returning to St. Peter’s. There are no words of gratitude sufficient to express what your loving care meant to us every single day. God Bless each one of you.
Reluctantly, we say farewell to an incredible man. So devoted to his faith and family and always making us proud by his many accomplishments. He always had such a zest for life, always looking for the next adventure, and ALWAYS seeking to make everyone he met laugh. Everyone loved him, wherever he went. He is terribly missed, but our HOPE is knowing that we will all join him one day in our heavenly home. 💜✝️💜
Every man dies, not every man really lives. William Wallace
Gift Funds: Paul White Emery II Memorial Fund - Gift Fund for St. Jude, in lieu of flowers for those who'd like to give donations in Paul's memory please visit the Paul White Emery page on St Jude Hospital's website
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